How to Beat Cancer: The Top 15 Cancer-Fighting Foods

We might not have a cure for cancer yet, but there are plenty of ways to prevent it.

Some of the big ones are pretty obvious: quit smoking, cut down on the alcohol, and slather on the sunscreen.

But did you know that following a healthy diet is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your risk of cancer?

Fostering an alkaline environment in the body by minimizing intake of processed foods, sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices can help prevent the growth of cancer cells. Cancer cells thrive in anaerobic, sugar-rich environments, after all.

Following an alkaline diet also means that you’re getting lots of nutrient-dense foods as well – like fruits and vegetables, which are bursting with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help fight off cancer.

Eating the right kinds of foods can pump up your immune system, prevent oxidative stress on your cells, and reduce inflammation.

The foods you decide to eat every day can actually play a major role in determining your risk of cancer.

Make good choices now to ensure better health down the road.

15 Top Cancer-Fighting Foods

1. Garlic

Garlic gets its cancer-busting properties from allicin, a component of garlic that’s been shown to inhibit the division of cancer cells. Studies have actually shown that allicin is able to kill off cancer cells, scavenge free radicals, and even prevent tumor growth (1, 2).

If you’re able to, eat garlic raw to maximize the anti-cancer effects. If you just can’t stomach the idea of biting into a clove of raw garlic, crush it first and wait ten minutes before cooking to preserve as much allicin as possible.

2. Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are filled with cancer-fighting compounds, such as sulforaphane. This compound has been shown to inactivate carcinogens, cause cell death for cancerous cells, and reduce inflammation (3).

To really take advantage of the health benefits of broccoli, avoid overcooking it. Throw it in the blender as a part of your next green smoothie or steam it for a few minutes to soften and enjoy.

3. Pomegranate

Dubbed “nature’s power fruit,” pomegranates possess some serious protective properties when it comes to cancer. Rich in tannins and flavonoids, pomegranate extract has been shown to slow the growth of lung, skin, colon, and prostate cancers (4).

Don’t let any of that pomegranate go to waste—sprinkle pomegranate seeds over salads, oatmeal, or Greek yogurt (if you eat dairy) for a healthy cancer-fighting upgrade!

Flaxseed brings a nutty flavor to oatmeal or cereal and can be an excellent way to spice up baked goods. Or simply add it to your smoothie – just make sure it’s blended up so that your body can absorb it.

Aim for one to two tablespoons daily to get the most benefits from flaxseed.

7. Mushrooms

Mushrooms have long been revered for their medicinal properties, and they could even play a role in cancer prevention.

Reishi mushrooms, in particular, contain a complex sugar known as beta-glucan, and preliminary studies have shown that it could enhance immune function and stop the spread of cancer cells (11).

Reishi mushrooms are also referred to as lingzhi mushrooms or “the mushroom of immortality” (and for good reason). They can be soaked in water overnight and then boiled for 5 minutes or simmered for 2-3 hours. They are also commonly grilled, added to soups, or stewed in tea.

8. Grapefruit

These tasty fruits are incredibly nutrient-dense and pack in the cancer-preventing phytochemicals.

They are rich in naringenin, limonin, beta-carotene, and lycopene. Plus, just half of a medium grapefruit gives you enough vitamin C for the entire day, which can boost immune function and prevent damage to cells.

Grapefruit adds a tasty punch to salads or spritzers. Even better, eat it raw with a drizzle of honey and a dash of cinnamon for a super healthy snack.

10. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes definitely make the cut when it comes to food that fights cancer. This is largely attributed to their anthocyanin content, which has been shown to be protective against colorectal cancer (13).

Studies have even demonstrated that the leaves of the sweet potato can inhibit proliferation and cause cell death in prostate cancer cells (14).

13. Walnuts

Walnuts top the list of cancer-fighting foods. These protein-packed nuts exert a beneficial effect on breast cancer by inhibiting cancer development (21).

They are also loaded with polyphenols, which help protect healthy cells and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Try chopped walnuts in a bowl of paleo porridge, as a crunchy topping for your next salad, or alone for a tasty snack.

14. Cherries

Cherries should be a key component in any cancer-fighting diet.

They are high in vitamin C and anthocyanins, both antioxidants which help keep cells free from damage and oxidative stress. Plus, they are full of perillyl alcohol, a compound that has therapeutic effects on cancer and works to inhibit cancer cell growth (22).

Cherries can add flavor to any salad or can make a bowl of overnight oats even tastier. Or, try adding them to your next smoothie for a fat-burning boost of energy.

15. Tomatoes

Lycopene is responsible for the characteristic vibrant red color found in tomatoes and it can also be attributed to the anti-cancer effects of the tomato.

In fact, lycopene has been most significantly linked to prostate cancer, with several studies suggesting that tomatoes could block the development of prostate cancer (23).

The lycopene content in tomatoes is actually easiest to absorb in cooked versus raw tomatoes. Break out the skillet and try cooking up some cancer-fighting tomato sauce. Plus, add in a few cloves of garlic to really take it to the next level.

Real Foods, Real Health

Do you notice a pattern in the cancer-fighting foods list? That’s right, they’re all real, unprocessed, high-alkaline foods.

There’s a reason you never hear about the benefits of processed junk like ramen noodles and toaster pastries: they don’t have the same cancer-busting effects that you find with real, natural foods.

A plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds is the simplest and most effective way to prevent cancer. These foods are packed with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the body needs to ward off cancer while promoting an environment that makes it hard for cancer cells to thrive.

A healthy lifestyle coupled with plenty of exercise and a diet full of real, nutritious foods is all it takes to dramatically reduce your risk of developing cancer (and a whole host of other diseases as well).

Eat clean today and you’ll have a healthier tomorrow.

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